"I was basically ignoring the situation," said Matthews. "I was told I was diabetic, but I guess we all grew up with the [idea] that if you weren't actually taking insulin, you weren't diabetic." But the big meals and lack of exercise caught up with him, landing Matthews in the hospital with complications related to type 2. He realized it was time to make some big changes. Television Journalist Chris Matthews served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Swaziland in the 1960's.

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It took a trip to the emergency room for Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's Hardball, to own up to his diabetes. In the December issue of the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) consumer magazine, Diabetes Forecast, Matthews talks about what it is like to work on a high profile television show while managing his condition -- and taking control of his health.

"I was basically ignoring the situation," said Matthews. "I was told I was diabetic, but I guess we all grew up with the [idea] that if you weren't actually taking insulin, you weren't diabetic." But the big meals and lack of exercise caught up with him, landing Matthews in the hospital with complications related to type 2. He realized it was time to make some big changes.

A major challenge, he says, has been figuring out what to eat. "It's harder because it's more complicated," says Matthews. "If I'm at a big event, some big celebrity dinner, I still have the dessert. I know I shouldn't but I check the blood sugar the next day and it doesn't have much of an impact if I limit myself to those situations." With a new perspective about how his day-to-day habits affect his diabetes, Matthews has been able to lose 30 pounds and get in control. "I stick to my diet and very small doses of insulin," said Matthews. He hopes to one day stop taking insulin and instead manage his condition through diet and exercise alone.

Matthews -- who has just published a new book, Life's a Campaign: What Politics has Taught Me about Friendship, Rivalry, Reputation, and Success -- says he has a renewed appreciation for doctors. "What people ought to be told about diabetes is that if they have it in the family or sense that they are on the road to it, they should go to their doctor and ask him what he thinks," says Matthews. "I have come to respect doctors a whole lot through this whole thing because they know what they are talking about and they are telling you to do something for your own good."

Dodd vows to filibuster Surveillance ActSenator Chris Dodd vowed to filibuster the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that would grant retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that helped this administration violate the civil liberties of Americans. "It is time to say: No more. No more trampling on our Constitution. No more excusing those who violate the rule of law. These are fundamental, basic, eternal principles. They have been around, some of them, for as long as the Magna Carta. They are enduring. What they are not is temporary. And what we do not do in a time where our country is at risk is abandon them."

What is the greatest threat facing us now? "People will say it's terrorism. But are there any terrorists in the world who can change the American way of life or our political system? No. Can they knock down a building? Yes. Can they kill somebody? Yes. But can they change us? No. Only we can change ourselves. So what is the great threat we are facing? I would approach this differently, in almost Marshall-like terms. What are the great opportunities out there - ones that we can take advantage of?" Read more.

Paul Theroux: Peace Corps WriterPaul Theroux began by writing about the life he knew in Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer. His first first three novels are set in Africa and two of his later novels recast his Peace Corps tour as fiction. Read about how Theroux involved himself with rebel politicians, was expelled from Malawi, and how the Peace Corps tried to ruin him financially in John Coyne's analysis and appreciation of one of the greatest American writers of his generation (who also happens to be an RPCV).

Ambassador revokes clearance for PC DirectorA post made on PCOL from volunteers in Tanzania alleges that Ambassador Retzer has acted improperly in revoking the country clearance of Country Director Christine Djondo. A statement from Peace Corps' Press Office says that the Peace Corps strongly disagrees with the ambassador’s decision. On June 8 the White House announced that Retzer is being replaced as Ambassador. Latest: Senator Dodd has placed a hold on Mark Green's nomination to be Ambassador to Tanzania.

Suspect confesses in murder of PCVSearch parties in the Philippines discovered the body of Peace Corps Volunteer Julia Campbell near Barangay Batad, Banaue town on April 17. Director Tschetter expressed his sorrow at learning the news. “Julia was a proud member of the Peace Corps family, and she contributed greatly to the lives of Filipino citizens in Donsol, Sorsogon, where she served,” he said. Latest: Suspect Juan Duntugan admits to killing Campbell. Leave your thoughts and condolences .

He served with honorOne year ago, Staff Sgt. Robert J. Paul (RPCV Kenya) carried on an ongoing dialog on this website on the military and the peace corps and his role as a member of a Civil Affairs Team in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have just received a report that Sargeant Paul has been killed by a car bomb in Kabul. Words cannot express our feeling of loss for this tremendous injury to the entire RPCV community. Most of us didn't know him personally but we knew him from his words. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. He was one of ours and he served with honor.

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Story Source: Earth Times

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Figures; COS - Swaziland; Journalism; Television; Medicine; Public Health

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